Crystal Cave Author Mary Stewart Dead at 97

Internationally bestselling novelist Mary Stewart has died at the age of 97. Ms. Stewart die at home in the Scottish village of Loch Awe. She is credited with being one of the first authors to combine romance with mystery. Her heroines were the adventurous type, which was unusual for 1953 when her first novel, Madam, Will You Talk? was published.

Stewart later changed genres and is best known for her trilogy about the wizard Merlin which told the legend of King Arthur from the point of view of Merlin. The trilogy included The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment. A related book, The Wicked Day, told the story of Mordred.

Ms. Stewart's publisher Hodder & Stoughton announced her death saying how sad they were to learn she had passed away.
CEO Jamie Hodder-Williams said: "Hodder & Stoughton have been proud to publish Mary Stewart's novels throughout her career. It has been a privilege to work with her, and to see her work discovered and loved by generation after generation of readers."